Photographer: Hollie Adams / Bloomberg
Photographer: Hollie Adams / Bloomberg
The British government is investigating labor rights reforms that would break European Union rules, which could potentially open Britain up to retaliatory measures of the block.
According to a person familiar with the matter, officials have put forward proposals that would set the 48-hour time limit on the duration of the working week, saying the plans are preliminary and that ministers have not yet made any decisions. . The measures were first reported by the Financial Times.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said on Twitter that the government “will not lower the standards of workers’ rights.”
If the plans are pursued, it has the potential to cause friction with the EU only a few weeks after the UK has sealed trade with the block. Negotiations continued until just before Christmas, with the so-called equal playing field of fair competition rules as one of the last disputes.
The an agreement enables the UK and the EU to draw up their own policies on labor, environment, climate and social policy, but also to allow retaliation if any changes have a material impact on trade or investment between the parties result.
According to the person, changes are also being made to the regulations regarding interruptions during the working day and a proposal not to include overtime in the calculation of holiday allowances. The government aims to make changes that can support businesses and growth, without interrupting the protection of workers.
‘Improved’ rights
“We have absolutely no intention of lowering the standards of labor rights,” the government said in a statement. “By leaving the EU, we can continue to be a standard taker and protect and enhance the rights of British workers.”
Any proposals that come up will be fully discussed to ensure that no policy followed has unintended consequences that diminish workers’ rights, the person said.
Labor party opposition spokesman Ed Miliband accused the ministers of ‘preparing their promises to the British people and taking a sledgehammer for workers’ rights’, saying his party would’ fight tooth and nail ‘ to defend the existing protection.
Tearing rights
“These proposals are not about reducing red tape for businesses, but about abolishing vital rights for workers,” he said in a statement. “The government wants Britain to compete with ordinary working people who are losing their rights.”
While the UK has left the EU with the same environmental and labor rules, Brexit supporters have seen the ability to free the country from the hassle of Brussels as their best prizes during the 2016 referendum campaign.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was one of the figures in the campaign, held a conference last week liaise with business leaders during which he asked them to help him decide what regulations should be suspended now that the divorce has been completed with the block.